Heartless thieves steal blind girl's sensory bench - again
4:48pm Sunday 18th May 2008
A BLIND girl from Nantwich has been left heartbroken again after thieves stole sensory garden equipment from her home in Stapeley.
The house on Newcastle Road was targeted in the early hours of the morning on May 2, when intruders stole a specially designed garden bench worth around £500.
This is the second time in two months that the vital piece of garden equipment has been taken from the sensory garden.
Sophie Woolgar, aged 12, needs the garden equipment to help her to experience everyday senses she cannot normally enjoy due to her condition.
Her parents Ray and Janet Woolgar, who occupy the house have been creating a sensory garden for Sophie since September, to help her improve her quality of life.
They are now distraught that the bench has gone again and Sophie no longer has anywhere to sit on, to relax and enjoy the garden from.
Sophie who was born severely brain damaged, still has her sense of smell and likes to enjoy the scents from the flowers and plants her parents have planted in the garden.
Mrs Woolgar said: "We can't believe it's happened again, it's totally heartbreaking.
"After the first incident we had replaced the specially designed bench with a new one, so that Sophie could sit or lie on the bench unaided and enjoy the garden.
"These thieves are completely heartless.
"The police did warn us that the house could be targeted again, but this time we secured the bench with metal chains and rings. The thieves must have cut through them."
She added: "We will offer a reward to anyone who comes forward with information of its whereabouts."
Anyone with information should call Nantwich Police on 0845 4586378.